General District Information:

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, extending roughly from
the City of San Carlos to the Town of Los Gatos, is a public agency  that
has preserved over 48,000 acres of diverse open space land managed in
26  preserves. A small share of the annual total property tax revenues
collected within District boundaries provides funding. The District
permanently protects wildlife habitat, watershed, and a variety of
ecosystems, restores damaged natural resources, and provides trail
improvements for passive recreational use by the public. The District's
goals are to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space
lands for public use, education, and enjoyment, and to preserve open
space for future generations. Approximately 20,000 - 30,000 acres of
land are still at risk of being lost to development within the District's
planning area.

The District offers an environment-based educational field trip program,
called Spaces & Species: Exploring Natural Communities, for 3^rd-6^th
grade students.  The program debuted in 1996 and has continued to grow
in popularity. In 1997, it received the Peninsula Conservation Center
Foundation's Business Environmental Award of recognition for Educational
Outreach. The Tuesday/Thursday field trip program is staffed by docent
education leaders, and conducted out of the Daniels Nature Center located
on Skyline Ridge preserve. 

To find out more about becoming an Outdoor Education Leader (OEL)
for the District, as well as other volunteer opportunities, please go to
the District website at www.openspace.org or contact the Docent Programs Coordinator at docent@openspace.org or 650/ 691-1200.